(file photo)
14 November 2004 -- The U.S. military says it now occupies, but has not yet fully subdued, the entire city of Al-Fallujah.

U.S. Marines Lieutenant General John Sattler said today that American forces have effectively seized the town.

"As of late last night [13 November], we have actually been in all parts of the city. So in other words, the city has been seized. We have liberated the city of Al-Fallujah," Sattler said.

Sattler said it is too early to declare the city under complete control of coalition forces. Rather, he says "security and clearing operations" will continue against "isolated pockets" of insurgents in Al-Fallujah for at least four or five more days.

As those operations continue, aid from the Iraqi Red Crescent is being held up for security reasons as relief workers negotiate with U.S. forces for access to civilians in the town.

Meanwhile, in the northern city of Mosul, insurgents overran a police station. U.S. and Iraqi troops are battling to retake it from them.